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Microsoft Cloud Strength Highlights Second Quarter Results

Microsoft Corp. announced the following results for the quarter ended December 31, 2015:

  • Revenue was $23.8 billion GAAP, and $25.7 billion non-GAAP
  • Operating income was $6.0 billion GAAP, and $7.9 billion non-GAAP
  • Net income was $5.0 billion GAAP, and $6.3 billion non-GAAP
  • Earnings per share was $0.62 GAAP, and $0.78 non-GAAP

During the quarter, Microsoft returned $6.5 billion to shareholders in the form of share repurchases and dividends.

In addition, Dynamics solutions have great momentum in the market.

Total Dynamics:

  • Microsoft Dynamics revenue grew 11% in constant currency in FY16 Q2 (3% USD growth)
  • Dynamics has 8.5M total monthly paid seats worldwide across products

Dynamics CRM Online:

  • Dynamics CRM Online tripled enterprise (Enterprise Agreement) total paid seats year over year in FY16 Q2
  • 3 out of every 4 new CRM customers choose cloud deployment
  • Dynamics CRM Online seat adds doubled year over year for the 5th consecutive quarter

Dynamics AX:

  • Dynamics AX enterprise installed base grew nearly 20 percent sequentially over the prior quarter.

“Businesses everywhere are using the Microsoft Cloud as their digital platform to drive their ambitious transformation agendas,” said Satya Nadella, chief executive officer at Microsoft.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT from our Corporate Vice President, Neil Holloway!

Last November, we announced that MBS Dynamics was joining forces with the Enterprise and Partner Group (EPG) to create a Sales and Partner organization. Our goal is to use the combined power of the company to maximize Microsoft’s sales assets and reach both IT and business decision makers. We continue the journey to bring together the best of MBS and EPG to sell the business cloud with a more unified approach in front of our partners and customers.

In response to the feedback we have received from our channel partners, we have also been focusing on initiatives that will make it easier to do business with Microsoft and enhance our channel programs while continuing to build our muscle around value selling to business decision makers.

As a next step in this evolution, Victor Morales is now the VP of Enterprise Partners at EPG, reporting directly to Rocky Blanton, Corporate Vice President WW Enterprise Partner Group, effective February 1. With this move, we will combine the EPG and MBS GSI teams under Victor. We thank Victor for all his hard work and we wish him the very best in his new role. A dedicated leader for the MBS Partner capability continues to be essential to our future strategy and ongoing execution. We have already started the process to identify Victor’s backfill. In the interim, Tony de Freitas, Sr. Director of Corporate Account Sales and Partner Strategy, has been asked to lead the team. Please welcome Tony de Freitas, Sr. Director of Corporate Account Sales and Partner Strategy, as the acting VP of Dynamics Partner Sales and Partner Strategy.

Combining the EPG and MBS GSI teams is the right move at the right time to set us up for success in FY17 and beyond. While this is a significant and important change, it does not signal any other broader changes within the MBS Sales & Partner Corp or Dynamics Field teams. Please continue to work with your Microsoft partner contacts.

Cloud Highlights

Watch Dana Willmer of Cloudspeed tell you how to build your own economic blueprint in the cloud and demonstrate shareholder value.

The Cloud Financial Model: Build Your Own Economic Blueprint for Success

The traditional business model has been disrupted by cloud computing. Businesses that are not adapting are feeling financial pressure and/or seeing their margins shrink. This disruption requires businesses to rethink their business model and understand the new paradigm. They need to shift to the new cloud/internet landscape. As Dana Willmer, Cloud Profitability Consultant and Principal of CloudSpeed, explains, “Valuation metrics are not the same in a cloud-first world. What’s important now are the levels of recurring revenue growth and levels of growth margins that you are generating. You need to develop a cloud plan and a cloud financial blueprint to be successful.” Leveraging the benefits of cloud computing ensures that you are not leaving money on the table. Learn more by watching Dana’s video that explains how to build your Microsoft Dynamics AX cloud financial model and gives instruction on how to demonstrate shareholder value. Financial models are also available for Office 365, Microsoft Azure, CRM Online, and Microsoft cloud services and devices.

Microsoft Cloud SureStep for Dynamics developed these videos with Dana along with a robust treasure trove of assets that will help you build your roadmap to prosperity in a Cloud-first world. If you haven’t reviewed this material and watched the videos, please do so today!

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Partner Highlights: Making the most of the Cloud

New Signature

Read how New Signature embraces the cloud business and is growing at a record pace.

“We’re on a tear! One year ago, we were one fifth the size we are now. We’ve grown from 50 to 250 employee’s and the pace is continuing. We have a big focus on the Dynamics stack – we see this as the next big wave.” The excitement and enthusiasm in Reed Weidowers voice is palpable. As the Chief Technology Officer of New Signature, a Microsoft National System Integrator and solution provider, I had the pleasure of talking to Reed about New Signature’s success and how they help companies solve business challenges with Microsoft Solutions.

[more]

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Customer Driven Update Process: Prepare Yourself and Your Customers

Customer Driven Update (CDU) is a feature within Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online which allows system administrators (or other designated contacts) to select, revise, and track a date for deploying the newest version of the service. The CDU window is expected to open for Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online customers on or about February 15th 2016. We want to provide you information that will be useful to you and your customers, enabling a successful update. We’ve provided a list of resources to help you learn what’s coming and better understand the CDU process.

It’s critical that you inform yourself so you are prepared for the update and can support your customers as well. Reviewing these resources will ensure that you and your customers have a smooth experience as you update through the CDU process.

Register for the Microsoft Dynamics AX Global Virtual Launch Event

The new Dynamics AX is game changing, with its new intelligent user experience, its ability to help businesses transform with LCS and use the cloud to grow at their own pace. Celebrate product availability on March 9th with a global virtual launch supported by local events and activities.

To register as an attendee for the event, click here.

For more information check out the Dynamics AX website.


CSP Enables the Optimal Cloud Strategy for Your Business

Did you know that Cloud partners have 1.5 times the gross profit percentage versus other partners? Microsoft’s Cloud Solution Provider Program can help you create a sustainable practice in the cloud and assist in growing business. If you are an AX Partner, being a Cloud Solution Provider makes easy integration with ERP resource optimization and transaction processing.

Check out the CSP Program Overview video and specific videos reviewing each area of the CSP business to gain deeper understanding about the CSP program.

Program Overview
Direct/1-Tier Business overview
Indirect/2-Tier Business overview
Microsoft Azure overview
Microsoft Office 365 overview
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online overview
API overview

Introducing Microsoft Envision, April 4-6, 2016 in New Orleans, LA

Microsoft has created a new opportunity, Microsoft Envision, focused on business insights, new solutions and building connections with innovators, visionaries, experts and peers. Microsoft Envision more than replaces Microsoft Convergence – it is a new event that showcases the full portfolio of Microsoft solutions to help business leaders and decision maker’s succeed in a mobile first, cloud first world.

To learn more about what’s in store at Microsoft Envision, visit the Microsoft Envision website and review the agenda. Find specific partner information and marketing materials to help promote the event with your customers on PartnerSource. For information on Dynamics-focused events, access the event portfolio chart.

Join us at the 2016 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) as we redefine productivity in a mobile-first, cloud-first world. WPC is the largest partner event of the year—a place to connect with fellow partners and with Microsoft, hear about the future direction of Microsoft and the broader IT industry, discover new business opportunities, learn, teach, and share with peers. With past attendance reaching 16,000 attendees from over 140 countries, no other event brings together so many of the most successful, top-tier partners in the Microsoft Partner Network.

Visit the WPC pages on the MPN Portal and join Connect, a niche interest network for partners looking to connect throughout the year — you’ll find blogs from Microsoft and partner leaders, videos from past WPCs, and have the ability to connect with partners just like you. Register here.

FieldOne,
Industry-Leading Provider of Field Service Automation

FieldOne, the new addition to the Dynamics CRM Service portfolio, is a world class Field Service Management (FSM) solution built on xRM. It’s mobile salesforce management optimized by the cloud. Currently available for CRM OL, FieldOne focusses on the needs of the large field service or mobile management organizations in the areas of scheduling and dispatch, asset and warranty management, service agreements, inventory, SLA’s and much, much more.

If you have been looking for information about FieldOne’s Field Service Management Software, and missed the December 8th live webcast “How to sell FieldOne, Field Service Management Software” the video and PowerPoint are available for you to view and download. Jim Hare, Global Sales Director of FieldOne from Microsoft, covered valuable information about the FieldOne software as well as addressed many of the questions about FieldOne. You can register for online courses here and watch several new FieldOne training videos now available on the Microsoft Dynamics Learning Portal. Upcoming Bootcamps can be found here.

For more information, visit the FieldOne website. Here you will find and instructions on how to access the FieldOne Playbook and Learning Management System along with helpful marketing, sales and training materials.


Adxstudio: Supercharge Your Sales with Interactive, Web-based tools

With the recent acquisition of ADXStudio, now Adxstudio, from Microsoft, you have access to a host of immersive, experiential services that integrate with your CRM OL offerings and equate to big Partner benefits. By becoming an Axdstudio Partner, you will be armed with out-of-the box solutions that will help you build community, increase engagement and drive revenue. Learn more about how Adxstudio from Microsoft can help your business grow by watching these video demonstrations and attending live training events. View the training curriculum and read the FAQ for more information.

Video Spotlight

Please watch the featured Microsoft series on optimizing your short and long term business plans, as well as making sure you get the most out of your day to day activities.

Special Series: Modern Workplace

Here’s the most recent episode:
Season 2, Episode 6: Disruption: Survival of the Fittest

Organizations can find unique ways to grow and prosper by operating like cutting-edge innovators. Get an insider’s look at the start-up mentality from two successful entrepreneurs. Uri Levine, founder of FeeX and Waze, shares how falling in love with the problem can lead to success. Aaron Dignan, founder of Undercurrent and The Ready, shows how to structure your organization to create new growth. Join us to hear new perspectives and strategies that will help you to not only survive but thrive.

Click here for previous episodes

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Dynamics Coverage Landscape
Top 10 Dynamics Articles

The top 10 Microsoft Dynamics articles centered on the CRM 2016 and AX releases—building excitement earlier in the year and finally disclosing details about new and improved capabilities and cloud availability. Other prominent Dynamics stories covered the FieldOne and FantasySalesTeam acquisition as well as the HP Enterprise collaboration and InsideSales integration. Overall, Dynamics positioned itself as a leader in the cloud platform movement, a top Salesforce competitor and a product that empowers exceptional customer service.

  1. IDG | Katherine Noyes: Microsoft Dynamics CRM gets an analytics-infused update | March 16, 2015
  2. Forbes | Ben Kepes: InsideSales Moves Beyond Salesforce, Integrates With Microsoft Dynamics March 16, 2015
  3. GeekWire | Todd Bishop: Microsoft to acquire FieldOne Systems, expanding Dynamics business in mobile customer service | July 16, 2015
  4. TechCrunch | Sarah Perez: Microsoft Acquires Sales Contest Platform FantasySalesTeam, Will Integrate Into Dynamics CRM | Aug. 3, 2015
  5. Business Insider | Eugene Kim: After failing to buy $50 billion Salesforce, Microsoft has suddenly become its hottest competitor | Aug. 18, 2015
  6. MSDynamicsWorld | Jason Gumpert: After Dreamforce: How Microsoft Dynamics CRM Stays Ahead of Salesforce on Productivity | Sept. 10, 2015
  7. Diginomica | Phil Wainewright: Flagship Microsoft ERP suite Dynamics AX goes cloud | Nov. 10, 2015
  8. The Wall Street Journal | Don Clark: Microsoft Unveils Collaboration With HP Enterprise Nov. 19, 2015
  9. Diginomica | Martin Banks: Microsoft Convergence – Eyeballing a New Battleground for CRM User Engagement | Dec. 1, 2015
  10. IDG | Katherine Noyes: Microsoft’s brand-new CRM boss takes the wraps off Dynamics CRM 2016 | Dec. 1, 2015
Things to know

Marketing

Support Offerings for Microsoft Dynamics AX
With the upcoming launch of Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft is excited to announce options in which customers can interact directly with Microsoft for technical support, as well as the options available to Partners for Microsoft-backed support.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online 2016 Update: Customer Driven Upgrade (CDU) Process
In mid-February, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online partners and customers will begin to receive automatic communications from Microsoft announcing the open of the Customer Driven Upgrade window. To ensure you are prepared more information is available on PartnerSource to help you understand the process.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2016 Availability and Features
Make sure you are aware of key aspects of the availability and features of the Dynamics CRM 2016 release

New Year and New Look for Lifecycle Communications
Microsoft is refreshing communications to AX, NAV, GP and CRM customers

Cloud SureStep: Path to Maximizing Profitability
Help your business transition and benefit from the cloud-first economy

Help Set the Direction for WPC 2016 Content
Please take the survey and please be sure to register for WPC2016!

New Tools Deliver Voice of the Customer
On Feb 19, 2016, General Availability of Voice of the Customer (VoC), a new feature for Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online, was announced. VoC empowers organizations through feedback and survey tools that provide general sentiment, contextual insights and transactional understanding throughout the customer journey. This robust solution will help businesses win more deals faster, particularly when there is an identified need to better understand individual customers, or to programmatically respond to market demands.

ERP SMB Promotions

Readiness

New Release Readiness Content for Microsoft Dynamics AX and Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2016

E-Learning readiness materials are now available for the new releases of both Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2016 and Microsoft Dynamics AX.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2016

Microsoft Dynamics AX

New DLP Help Video Series
Learn more about how to use the Dynamics Learning Portal.

Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2016 Directions Webinars for EMEA and US

Cloud SureStep Content Now on the DLP
Cloud SureStep courses are now available on the Dynamics Learning Portal.

New Field Service training available for Technical and Sales Tracks

Technical Presales and Deployment Services
Now through March 31, take advantage of free technical training provided by Partner Technical Services.

Microsoft Dynamics Partner Programs Exam: Requirement Changes Coming February 2017
Early heads up: Certification requirements for the Microsoft Dynamics Partner Programs (SPA, CSA, and MPN ERP Competency) will be changing on February 1, 2017.

Upcoming Webinars:
AXUG: http://www.axug.com/events
CRMUG: http://www.crmug.com/events
CPUG: http://www.gpug.com/events
NAVUG: http://www.navug.com/events

Calendar

Build 2016
March 30-April 1, 2016 San Francisco, CA

Microsoft Envision (formerly Microsoft Convergence)
April 4-6, 2016, New Orleans, LA

Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference
July 10-14, 2016, Toronto, Canada

Microsoft Ignite
September 26-30, 2016, Atlanta, GA

Microsoft Dynamics AX Fast TrAX
March 7-25, 2016, Fargo, ND
June 6-24, 2016 Fargo, ND
July 10-14, 2016, Toronto, Canada

To see the latest US Training Information and Events, please visit PartnerSource: http://aka.ms/usdynamicstraining

Visit the Dynamics Learning Portal to see a Calendar of upcoming events, Videos and Courses on the latest product releases, and Learning Plans by role.

Feedback

We are always looking for ways to improve. Tell us what topics you would like to read about in the upcoming Microsoft Dynamics Business and Cloud News. Email us at mbspartnercom@microsoft.com.

Click here for previous editions.

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